Closure for ammonium hydroxide container



June 24, 1958 N. E. KOB

CLOSURE FOR AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE CONTAINER Filed Feb. 15, 1955 Wu Q JJ.

United States Patent CLOSURE FOR AMMONIUMI HYDROXIDE CGNTAINER Nicholas E. Kob, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 15,1955, Serial No.'488,342 8 Claims. 1 (Cl. 222 -331).

machines are set up .and operated within a closed room.

Because of the characteristic strong pungent odor of-am- ,monia gas, not restricted the tendency ofthe-gas to escape from ammonium hydroxide is a troublesome one causing considerable.:-discomfort on the part of the operator of the machine.

Blueprinting gmachines are known which 1 include an enclosed storage space for ammonium hydroxide within the machine. The ammonium hydroxide is pumped from theenclosed storage container to thestationl within the machine at which it is employed in the: duplicating process.

However, these ammonium hydroxide containers are customarily-relatively small in capacity and'so must be frequently refilled. Moreover, the containers are not conventionahtypes-which can be removed from the machine when emptyand returned to a source of supply for commercial refilling; As a result, provision of a sufficient amount of'ammoniumrhydroxide' for use in the blueprintingprocess. requires an in'convenient, troublesome,--and time :consuming method of -replaceme'ntof the ammonium hydroxide used upin the process.

The-closure of this invention makes it possible for the firstttirne to store ammonium hydroxide for use in a blueprinting machine in a conveniently reached position readily accessible to the 'machine,'and in the very same carboy or other container in which'the ammonium hydroxide is: delivered by the supplier. The closure is readily adapted to a widely used typeof plastic ammonium hydroxide carboy; In its preferred embodiment it-formsa reliable'vapor-tight seal with the carboy which helps'vrestrict the-ammonia gas present above the liquid ammonium hydroxide against escape into the surrounding atn'rosphere'.- Theclosure cap is threaded to permit it to be conveniently screwed down upon thc neck of the carboy, thereby pressing tightly into the neck of the carboy'a resilient plug fitted with a corrosion resistant feed line and having a discharge outlet.

The invention willbe described in relationto the embodimentisho'wn'in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation or one embodiment of. the apparatus of this invention showing-how it may be incorporated witha standard blueprinting machine; and

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along ice 2; a line passing-through the center'of the feed line and exhaust line of the closure shown in Figure '1.

In Figure 1, blueprinting machine 10 is seen from the endof the machine at the right of the operator as he stands in front. of ,work table lliof the machine.

Container 12, shown in this embodiment as a'plastic carboy having a large capacity,:stands behind blueprinting machine 16; Feedline 13 extends to within a very short distance of bottom wall l i of container 12. It passes upward through closure -15 and from there to vacuum pump 16 located within the blueprintingmachine 7 Feed line 13 is made of corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel Pump 16 is adapted to draw liquid ammonium hydroxide-from containerll through-feed line 13- as it is needed in operation of theblueprinting machine, and to pump it through-line -17 toelevated tank 18. From tank 18 it is dispersed as needed insthe blueprinting process.

Returning tocarboy 12, exhaust line 19 (made of a corrosion resistant material suchdasstainless steel) extends from a point above the-top surface 200i the liquid ammoniumhydroxide'inthecarboy up through closure 15 to exhaust stack 21 at the rear of the blueprinting machine. Any ammonia gas rising from the liquid ammonium hydroxidewill passthrough exhaust line 19 into exhauststack-IZI, and' from there out stack opening 22 for discharge-into the'atmosphere in the same manner as other noxious gases and .va'pors resulting from operation of blueprinting; machine 10.

In addition, it is seenthat atmospheric pressure operating through stack 21 and exhaust line 19 acts to press down on surface 20-to force liquid ammonium hydroxide out through feed line 13 when pump 16 pulls a vacuum on line '13,

If an exhaust fan is employed in connection with exhaust stack 21, this will assist in removing ammonia fumes that would otherwisebe present in the vicinity of blueprinting machine 10'because'of the ammonium hydroxide. However, it may be desirable to keep the fan inoperative during ,any period-that vacuum pump 16 is drawing liquid ammonium hydroxide from the carboy.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment of the closure of this invention which'is shown in Figure '1. The :view in Figure '2 discloses how closure 15may beernployed with a conventional ammonium hydroxide carboy 12 in which commercially available ammonium hydroxide is commonly supplied.

Neck 30of carboy 12 terminates at its upper end in threaded portion 31. Cap -32,'preferably formedof the same plastic materialas carboy 12, carries threads 33 on its interior surface which complement the threads of portion 31 of the container neck. Cap 32 is thus adapted to'be screwed into snug engagement with container neck 30.

Resilient plug 34 is adapted to fit tightly Within opening. 35 of container neck 30. In the embodiment shown, plug 34 is formed of rubber.

Plug 34 has an outlet holc'36 and an exhaust hole 37. Feed line- 13 passes through opening 36, fitting snugly therein'to form avapor-tight seal with resilient plug 34. In the same manner, exhaust line 19"passes through opening 37 toform a vapor-tight seal with plug 34. Feed line 13 "and exhaust line 19 are enough larger in diameter than'are -holesiiifi and 37, respectively, that when they are pushed through those holes they push back thehole walls to form the desired snug vapor-tight fits.

Lines: 13 and 19 pass fror'n'the upper face of p1ug'34 through opening38 inrthe top of cap 32. For convenience opening 38 is, in the embodiment shownya circular opening in the top of the cap. It is largefenough to permit the passage ofi-line's 13 and 19 to-vacuum moved from container neck 30.

. 3 pump 16 and exhaust stack 21,, respectively, but small enough that a shoulder 39 remains as the' outer part of the top of cap 32 to press-down upon resilient plug 34 and force it into snug engagement with wall 35 defining the opening of cylinder neck 30: "As shown inFigure 2, the bottom or inside wall of' shoulder 39* may be pro vided with small corrugationsor ridges to improve the frictional contact between cap 32 andthe top of plug 34. Vertical channels 41 are provided on the exterior side wall of cap 32 in order that the cap may be firmly grasped by the hand or a wrench or other tool to be screwed into tight engagement with container neck 30. Any

suitable scoring or marking of'the exterior surface ofthe side wall cap 32, such as is provided by a knurled or roughenedarea, will serve the same purpose.

From Figures 1 and 2 ibis-seen that-a large carboy or other container of ammonium hydroxide may be very conveniently andsafely installeddirectly behind blueprinting machine to provide ammonium hydroxide needed in operationof the machine. A carboy emptied of its ammonium hydroxide may be quickly removed and a full container substituted. 7 t

'As seen from Figure '2; cap 32 maybe unscrewed from engagement with container neck 30, and raised a distance above resilient plug 34. Lines 13 and 19, which are securely grasped .by resilientplug 34, may be grasped to assist in working plug 34 loosefrom opening 35. In addition, pliers or any other suitable tool may be used to grasp the upper exposed portion of plug 34 which rises above opening 35. With. either of these techniques, or a combination, plug 34 may be quickly re- After closure 15 is entirely loosened from the empty carboy 12,. it may be lifted from the carboy, by reason of some flexibility in lines 13 and 19, so that the bottom end of feed line 13 is raised far enough from the'floor to permit it to be slid out of container neck 30 of the empty carboy. The empty carboy is then pushed to one side and a full carboyis slid under closure 15 so that feed lines 13 and 19. maybe inserted into the container neck. Resilient plu g 34, carrying the two lines, is pressed snugly into the container neck opening, cap 32 is screwed down tightly upon plug 34, andv the apparatus is ready again todeliver liquid ammonium hydroxide to vacuum pump 16 from the full carboy.

The above detailed description .of this invention is given for clearness of understanding only. No unnecessary limitations shouldbeunderstood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for removal of ammonium hydroxide from the container in which it is stored which comprises:

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the feed line and exhaust line are formed of stainless steel.

3. Apparatus for removal of ammonium hydroxide from the container in which it is stored which comprises: a neck on said container, said neck being formed of a strong plastic material and being threaded on its exterior surface; a resilient plug fitted tightly within the opening of said neck to form a vapor-tight seal with the neck, said plug having an outlet hole and an exhaust hole; a feed line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container through said outlet hole into the container and to within a short distance of the bottom of the container, said feed line forming a vapor-tight seal with the resilient plug; an exhaust line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container through said exhaust hole into the container, said exhaust line forming a vaportight seal with the resilient plug; a cap formed of a plastic material, said cap being threaded on its interior surface and screwed into snug engagement with the container neck to press said resilient plug tightly into the neck, said cap having an opening permitting the feed line and exhaust line to pass through the cap, said cap further having a scored exterior surface adapted to be firmly grasped for screwing the cap into tight engagement with the container neck; a pump connected to said feed line, said pump being adapted to draw ammonium hydroxide out of the container and to pump it to a predetermined station; and an exhaust conduit connected to said exhaust line tocarry ammonia fumes away from the vicinity of the ammonium hydroxide container. v

4. Apparatus for storing ammonium hydroxide and supplying it to a point of use: said apparatus compris- 1ng a container for ammonium hydroxide having an opening therein above the level of the ammonium hydroxide; closure means mounted on said container and forming therewitha vapor tight seal completely surrounding said opening to prevent'escape'of ammonia fumes through said opening; a feed line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container through said closure means and said opening into the container to within a short distance of the bottom of the container; said feed line forming a vapor tight seal with said closure means; an exhaust line formed of corrosion a neck on said container, said neck being threaded on extending from outside the container through said exhaust hole into the container, said exhaust line-forming a vapor-tight seal with theresilient plug; a cap threaded on its interior surface 'and screwed into snug engagement with the container neck to press said resilient plug tightly into theneck, said cap having an opening permitting the feed line and exhaust lineto. passthrough the cap; a pump connected to said feed line, said pump being adapted to draw ammoniumhydroxide out of the container and to pump it to, a'predetermined station; and an exhaust conduit connected to said exhaust line to carry ammonia fumes away from the vicinity of the ammonium hydroxide container. a

resistant material and extending from outside the container through said closure means and said opening into the container to a point above the level of the ammonium hydroxide; said exhaust line forming a vapor tight seal with the closure means and carrying away the ammonia fumes in the container; and a pump havingan'inletand an outlet with said inlet connected tosaid feed line externally of said container and with said outlet connected to said point of use for pumping ammonium hydroxide from the container to the point of use.

5. Apparatus for storing ammonium hydroxide and supplying it to a point of use comprising a container member for ammonium hydroxide including a neck having an opening therethrough above the level of the ammonium hydroxide; a cap member having an opening therein, said members having complementary interengaging sealing surface portions forming therebetween substantially vapor tight engagement completely surrounding the opening in said container member; aresilient plug mounted in, one .of said openings and forming a vapor tight seal therefor to prevent escape of ammonia fumes throughsaid Oneopening, said plug having an outlet hole and an exhaust hole; a feed line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending fromoutside the container member through said openings and said outlet hole into the container member to within ashort distance of the bottom thereof, said feed line forming a vapor tight seal with the resilient plug; an exhaust line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container member through said openings and said exhaust hole into the container member to a point above the level of the ammonium hydroxide, said exhaust line forming a vapor tight seal with the resilient plug and carrying away ammonia fumes in the container member; and a pump connected to said feed line for pumping ammonium hydroxide from the container member to the point of use.

6. In combination with apparatus for storing ammonium hydroxide and supplying it to a point of use, said apparatus including a container for ammonium hydroxide having a dispensing opening above the level of the ammonium hydroxide, and suction means having an inlet and outlet with the outlet connected to said point of use; closure means mounted on said container and forming therewith a vapor tight seal completely surrounding said opening to prevent escape of ammonia fumes through said opening; a feed line connected to said inlet and formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container through said closure means and said opening into the container to Within a short distance of the bottom of the container, said feed line forming a vapor tight seal with said closure means and an exhaust line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container through said closure means and said opening into the container to a point above the level of the ammonium hydroxide, said exhaust line forming a vapor tight seal with the closure means and carrying away the ammonia fumes in the container.

7. In combination with apparatus for storing ammonium hydroxide and supplying it to a point of use, said apparatus including a container member for ammonium hydroxide including a neck having an opening therethrough above the level of the ammonium hydroxide and suction means having an inlet and outlet with the outlet connected to said point of use; a cap member having an opening therein, said members having complementary interengaging sealing surface portions providing therebetween substantially vapor tight engagement completely surrounding the opening in said container member; a resilient plug mounted in the opening of one of said members to form a vapor tight seal therefor and prevent escape of ammonia fumes through said last mentioned outlet hole into the container to Within a short distance of i the bottom of the container, said feed line forming a vapor tight seal with the resilient plug; and an exhaust line formed of corrosion resistant material and extending from outside the container member through said openings and said exhaust hole into the container member to a point above the level of the ammonium hydroxide; said exhaust line forming a vapor tight seal with the plug and carrying away ammonia fumes in the container member.

8. In combination with apparatus for storing ammonium hydroxide and supplying it to a point of use, said apparatus including a container member for ammonium hydroxide and suction means having an inlet and an outlet with the outlet connected to said point of use; a closure member for said container member, said members having communicatingopenings above the level of the ammonium hydroxide and having complementary interengaging sealing surface portions forming therebetween substantially vapor-tight engagement completely surrounding the opening in said container member, corrosion-resistant connection lines extending'through said openings and resilient compressible means in sealingengagement with one of said members to form a vapor-tight seal for said container, one of said lines being connected to said inlet externally of said container member and extending into the container member to within a short distance of the bottom thereof and the other of said lines extending into the container member to a point above the level of the ammonium hydroxide.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,370,706 Price Mar. 8,1921 1,980,469 Breton Nov. 13, 1934 2,028,553 Lubin Jan. 21, 1936 

1. APPARATUS FOR REMOVAL OF AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE FROM THE CONTAINER IN WHICH IT IS STORED WHICH COMPRISES: A NECK ON SAID CONTAINER, SAID NECK BEING THREADED ON ITS EXTERIOR SURFACE; A RESILIENT PLUG FITTED TIGHTLY WITHIN THE OPENING OF SAID NECK TO FORM A VAPOR-TIGHT SEAL WITH THE NECK, SAID PLUG HAVING AN OUTLET HOLE AND AN EXHAUST HOLE; A FEED LINE FORMED OF CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIAL AND EXTENDING FROM OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER THROUGH SAID OUTLET HOLE INTO THE CONTAINER AND TO WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CONTAINER, SAID FEED LINE FORMING A VAPOR-TIGHT SEAL WITH THE RESILIENT PLUG; AN EXHAUST LINE FORMED OF CORROSION RESISTANT MATERIAL AND EXTENDING FROM OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER THROUGH SAID EXHAUST HOLE INTO THE CONTAINER, SAID EXHAUST LINE FORMING A VAPOR-TIGHT SEAL WITH THE RESILIENT PLUG; A CAP THREADED ON ITS INTERIOR SURFACE AND SCREWED INTO SNUG ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONTAINER NECK TO PRESS SAID RESILIENT PLUG TIGHTLY INTO THE NECK, SAID CAP HAVING AN OPENING PERMITTING THE FEED LINE AND EXHAUST LINE TO PASS THROUGH THE CAP; A PUMP CONNECTED TO SAID FEED LINE, SAID PUMP BEING ADAPTED TO DRAW AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE OUT OF THE CONTAINER AND TO PUMP IT TO A PREDETERMINED STATION; AND AN EXHAUST CONDUIT CONNECTED TO SAID EXHAUST LINE TO CARRY AMMONIA FUMES AWAY FROM THE VICINITY OF THE AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE CONTAINER. 